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During your Charlestown beach vacations you can easily branch out to explore a bit further afield, as the state is quite small, and most of the major attractions are closest to the beaches. You can reach the state's border in all directions with less than an hour's worth of driving from Charlestown.

Charlestown Town Beach is sandwiched between East Beach and the Charlestown Breachway State Park, facing Block Island Sound. The beaches here are barrier beaches, similar to those you might find in the Florida Keys. A barrier beach is a long, narrow island or strip of land that runs parallel to the mainland coastline and is not submerged by high tides. There are, as in the Florida Keys, often causeways built on these strips of land. East Beach is more than two miles long, but it has very limited parking (as well as limited recreational vehicle camping), so it can be relatively uncrowded compared to public beaches with more parking.

In between the mainland coastline and the Charlestown Beach barrier island are freshwater ponds. This means that the Charlestown Town Beach boasts both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Charlestown Beach vacations locate you in a place with many things to do and some of the best camping in the state. Nearby Burlingame State Park is comprised of more than 3,000 woodland acres and has a large fishing pond with a good swimming beach. There are more than 700 campsites for tents, as well as a few log cabins and yurts available for very attractive rates. There are shower facilities, a children's playground, and a game arcade. On the pond, there is a boat ramp and canoe rentals. There are also hiking trails, which extend into the adjacent Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary. Pet dog and cats are allowed here.

If you're camping here, you'll find that you're only about a mile from Charlestown Beach and the ocean. This is an excellent alternative to Rhode Island beach rentals. The vast majority of the beaches do not allow pets, so this is a particularly good alternative if you want to bring your dog along.

If you have a recreational vehicle or mobile home, you could consider a strip of Charlestown Breachway for beach rentals near Charlestown Beach as these give you accommodation that are, literally, right on the beach. No tents are allowed and all camping must be completely self contained, so a mobile home or recreational vehicle is a must. There are restrooms, but no shower facilities. There is a pier and a boat ramp in case you want to go fishing, and several golfing venues are within about five miles.

Charlestown Town Beach has fine sand, and moderate to heavy surf, making it excellent for body surfing. There is a picnic area and restrooms. Pets and alcohol are not permitted. Charlestown Beach has some of the best saltwater fishing in South County, and you have lovely views of Block Island Sound.

A little further to the west of your Charlestown Beach vacations you will find access to ferries to Block Island or Long Island, New York. To the west is Misquamicut Beach. A little further to the east are the lighthouses and history of Point Judith and Scarborough Beach, the only truly Atlantic facing beach in the state.